Search results for "Thin-film solar cell"
showing 7 items of 7 documents
Reducing the Schottky barrier height at the MoSe2/Mo(110) interface in thin-film solar cells: Insights from first-principles calculations
2016
Abstract We report on first-principles calculations of the properties of the MoSe2/Mo(110) interface. Due to mismatch between the lattice parameters of the two structures, different patterns can form at the interface. We have studied the formation energy and the band alignment of six patterns for the MoSe2 (0001)/Mo(110) interface and one pattern for the MoSe2 (11 2 0)/Mo(110) interface. The MoSe2 (11 2 0)/Mo(110) interface is more stable than the MoSe 2 (0001)/Mo(110) interface and in contrast to MoSe2 (0001)/Mo(110), no Schottky barrier forms at MoSe2 (11 2 0)/Mo(110). Doping with Na modifies the band alignment at the interfaces. The Schottky barrier height decreases, provided that a Na a…
CIGS THIN FILM BY ONE-STEP ELECTRODEPOSITION FOR SOLAR CELLS
2013
In this work, we present a cost-effective technique to produce CIGS thin films for solar cells by means of a single-step electrodeposition. In fact, electrodeposition is known as an easy technique for building low cost materials for photovoltaic device processing. Morphological, structural and optical characterization of these films has been performed.
Self-assembled silver nanoparticles for plasmon-enhanced solar cell back reflectors: correlation between structural and optical properties
2013
The spectra of localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) in self-assembled silver nanoparticles (NPs), prepared by solid-state dewetting of thin films, are discussed in terms of their structural properties. We summarize the dependences of size and shape of NPs on the fabrication conditions with a proposed structural-phase diagram. It was found that the surface coverage distribution and the mean surface coverage (SC) size were the most appropriate statistical parameters to describe the correlation between the morphology and the optical properties of the nanostructures. The results are interpreted with theoretical predictions based on Mie theory. The broadband scattering efficiency of LSPR…
Role of the Back Metal-Semiconductor Contact on the Performances of a-Si:H Solar Cells
2011
We have investigated the role of the metal-semiconductor back contact on the performances of thin film modules consisting of single junction a-Si:H photovoltaic (PV) cells deposited with p-i-n configuration. We find that an adequate choice of the back contact helps reducing the barrier height of the junction improving the contact conductivity. For this purpose Mo has shown to be effective. Moreover we find that Mo, as refractory material, has additional beneficial effects reducing the formation of defects leading to the decrease of recombination losses. We have then fabricated a PV module on flexible substrate for indoor energy harvesting applications using Mo as back contact. An efficiency…
Photovoltaic module characteristics from CIGS solar cell modelling
2013
We describe our approach to the task of modelling, both at single cell structure and complete module levels, during the solar cell technology development process. This can give very helpful indications, in terms of global photovoltaic module characteristics, for the assessment of intermediate research results and planning of further experiments. We make reference specifically to the fabrication of thin film CIGS solar cells by means of single-step electrodeposition, a technique which appears fairly easy and low-cost but, at the same time, can lead to quite different structural and electrical properties.
Thin Film CIGS Solar Cells, Photovoltaic Modules, and the Problems of Modeling
2013
Starting from the results regarding a nonvacuum technique to fabricate CIGS thin films for solar cells by means of single-step electrodeposition, we focus on the methodological problems of modeling at cell structure and photovoltaic module levels. As a matter of fact, electrodeposition is known as a practical alternative to costly vacuum-based technologies for semiconductor processing in the photovoltaic device sector, but it can lead to quite different structural and electrical properties. For this reason, a greater effort is required to ensure that the perspectives of the electrical engineer and the material scientist are given an opportunity for a closer comparison and a common language.…